Last updated on November 15th, 2024.
The hilltop town of Taormina is one we know very well.
From our base in Sicily (where we live part of the year), Taormina is a 20-minute drive away.
We typically visit Taormina for special occasions like a wedding or anniversary, or on Christmas Day. Given that we’re regular visitors places me in a good position (I think) to write this post.
One of Sicily’s most popular destinations, I’ll be sharing 5 top things to know about visiting Taormina.
An essential read if you’re planning on visiting Taormina, these Sicily travel tips will help you plan your Italy trip.
Where is Taormina?
One of the first things to know about visiting Taormina is its location. The town is situated on the eastern coast of Sicily, near where we live, surrounded by the towns of Letojanni and Giardini Naxos.
Its prime spot along the coast makes Taomina an ideal place to add to your East Sicily itinerary.
Where is the closest airport?
Taormina’s closest international airport is Catania Fontanarossa Airport. If renting a car, the journey from Taormina to Catania Airport takes approximately 1 hour (not including traffic or stops).
Another option, which we’ve frequently taken, is to take the train from Taormina. A straightforward route to get to Catania Airport, the entire journey usually takes around 1hr 20mins.
Train travel is a great way to get around Sicily and it’s pretty affordable too.
What is Taormina famous for?
Taomina is famous for several reasons. Its attractions, historical landmarks and views all contribute to its popularity.
The Sicilian hilltop town gained more notoriety after the TV show The White Lotus was filmed in Taormina and Sicily.
To give you an idea of why it’s so popular, here are some of the best things to do in Taormina. These travel ideas will make great additions to your Taormina itinerary.
Best things to do in Taormina
Visit Teatro Antico di Taormina
The Ancient Theater of Taormina (Teatro Antico di Taormina) was originally built in the 3rd century BC. Offering panoramic views of Mount Etna and the Ionian Sea, it’s one of the world’s most well-preserved theaters.
Book a tour with this skip-the-line ticket and learn about the history of Taormina, or book to watch a performance. The theater hosts a variety of shows ranging from international film festivals to top music icons.
Ancient Theater of Taormina (Teatro Antico di Taormina), Via Teatro Greco, 1
Relax on Isola Bella
The small nature reserve of Beautiful Island (Isola Bella) also doubles as a popular beach destination come summer.
Connected to the mainland by a narrow sandbar, Isola Bella is accessible on foot (during low tide) or by boat.
On the island is a historic villa that was built in the 1950s. It was originally intended to be the residence of the English aristocrat and art collector Florence Trevelyan. Villa Isola Bella has been owned by the Region of Sicily since 1990.
Enjoy the views from Belvedere di Taormina
Belvedere di Taormina is one of the best viewing spots in Taormina. You’ll find it in Piazza IX Aprile, a large square filled with outdoor bars and the Church of St. Joseph.
Granted, this square and viewing spot are typically packed with visitors, especially around sunset. But wait your turn and secure your spot to enjoy colorful sunsets over the Ionian Sea.
Stroll through the town center
Via Roma is the main street that runs through Taormina’s town center. Incredibly charming, with narrow side streets filled with Sicilian testa di moro, Via Roma makes for some very pretty pictures.
Explore Taormina’s churches
There are several historic churches to see when in Taormina. They include:
- The medieval Taormina Cathedral, (Duomo di Taormina), Piazza Duomo
- The baroque Church of St. Joseph (Chiesa di San Giuseppe), Piazza IX Aprile, 8
- Church of Madonna of the Rock (Chiesa Madonna della Rocca), Taormina
- Church of St. Catherine of Alexandria (Chiesa di Santa Caterina d’Alessandria), Taormina
Discover Taormina’s communal park
A gorgeous and green place to escape the crowds is Taormina’s communal park (Villa Comunale di Taormina).
With landscaped gardens and picturesque sea and city views, it’s one of my favorite places to visit in Taormina.
Taormina Communal Park (Villa Comunale di Taormina), Via Bagnoli Croci
Enjoy aperitivo at sunset
One of my top things to do in Taormina is to watch the sun set. And there’s no better place to do that than from the terrace at Hotel Metropole Maison d’Hôtes – Taormina.
Order a cocktail, a glass of prosecco or something non-alcoholic, it doesn’t matter. What does matter is securing a table with a good view so you can savor the sunset hues over Taormina.
Hotel Metropole Maison d’Hôtes – Taormina, Corso Umberto, 154
Now that I’ve covered what you can see and do, here are 5 things to know about visiting Taormina.
Map of Sicily
Things to know about visiting Taormina
Taormina is overcrowded
Visit Taormina during July, August or at Christmas in Sicily and prepare to feel like a stuffed sardine.
During these periods, Taormina is crowded, with every nook and cranny seemingly filled with people.
In the low season (autumn and winter in Sicily) Taormina can still get extremely busy. Its narrow main street and side roads can only handle so many visitors.
When planning to visit Taormina, the best advice I can give is to come early. You’ve got more chance of beating the crowds and enjoying the town before it gets too crowded.
My guide on when to visit Sicily outlines this in more detail.
Taormina is expensive
One of the most important things to know about visiting Taormina is that it’s expensive.
And the reason why Taormina is expensive can be explained by several reasons.
In Taormina’s heyday (1960s and 1970s), the town was renowned for being a high standard destination. It attracted the crème de la crème of Italian elite and its prices reflected that.
Fast forward to today, and Taormina’s standards haven’t maintained those from its golden era. However, its prices have continued to rise.
But while Taormina may not hold the same allure for elite guests, it still attracts masses of international tourists. Which brings us to the second reason why things cost more in Taormina. To put it simply, the demand for goods and services from tourists adds to the growing costs.
On the plus side, Taormina has several free things to do, some of which have already been mentioned above.
The traffic can get bad
The drive leading to Taormina is a scenic one. It’s surrounded by dazzling sea views and the pretty Sicilian coastline.
However, once you get near the exit to Taormina, prepare to play the waiting game. Naturally, the lines are longer during peak seasons or when there’s a show playing at the Ancient Theater.
Thankfully, the traffic is nowhere near as bad as what we experienced driving around the Amalfi Coast.
At its worse — things to know about visiting Taormina
We’ve found that the traffic gets worse in Taormina from about 6pm. People may be heading to Taormina for dinner, drinks or to watch a performance.
Another reason for the heavy traffic (in summer) is Isola Bella. Getting around by car is the most popular mode of transportation, and everyone has the same goal in mind.
Parking can be a headache
To be blunt, parking in Taormina can be a nightmare.
In a town consisting of narrow streets and tight passageways, any on-street parking fills up very quickly.
What’s left (near Taormina town center) are the private parking lots. They can be useful if you plan to spend a good few hours in Taormina but it comes at a cost. We used one while attending a friend’s wedding and paid around €30 ($33/£26) for about 2 hours.
Covered parking
A place where we usually park in Taormina is Lumbi Parking (Parcheggio Lumbi). It’s one of the first covered parking lots you see when exiting the roundabout for Taormina.
One plus is that there’s plenty of space and the cost is reasonable — depending on how long you stay. The downside is that you must either walk up several flights of stairs or take the bus to reach the town center.
The bus ticket may be included in your parking ticket but check this beforehand. We usually take the stairs so I’m not 100% sure.
Lumbi Parking (Parcheggio Lumbi), Via Mario e Nicola Garipoli
Cable car parking
Another of the top things to know about visiting Taormina is the Cable Car Tormina Parking (not a typo). It’s located a slight distance from the town center in Mazzarò.
From here you can take the cable car all the way to Taormina’s town center.
Cable Car Tormina Parking, Mazzarò
Avoid visiting when there is a show
One of the most important things to know about visiting Taormina is to avoid visiting when there is a show.
By this, I specifically mean when there are performances at the Ancient Theater.
The shows typically attract not just the locals but also the tourists. What this means is double the traffic and the number of people filling the streets, bars and restaurants.
My advice is to check the theater’s website to see the events listing. This way you can be prepared by planning ahead.
Is Taormina a tourist trap?
Like many popular destinations, Taormina has its parts that can be considered as tourist traps. However, there are plenty of options to eat, drink and shop, so be sure to keep your wits about you.
One example I can give is a gelateria we like visiting in Taormina called Don Diego Gelateria Caffeteria. It’s situated in Taormina’s town center but not right on Via Roma. The gelato and cakes are excellent, and they serve one of the best granita Siciliana in Taormina.
Don Diego Gelateria Caffeteria, Via Luigi Pirandello, 1
Is Taormina worth visiting?
Taormina is 100% worth visiting, especially if it’s your first time traveling in Sicily. By knowing these Taormina travel tips, it’ll help you better prepare for your trip.
As someone who’s visited Taormina many times, I’d say there are other charming places nearby to consider visiting. Take the hilltop town of Castelmola. Much smaller than Taormina, it’s also less expensive, crowded and has incredible views.
For me, it’s one of the best things to do near Taormina.
Castelmola doesn’t have the upmarket profile associated with Taormina, but it’s a tranquil low-key alternative.
What do you think of this Taormina travel guide on things to know about visiting Taormina? Does it look like somewhere you’d like to visit? Let me know in the comments below.
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ABOUT me
Welcome to my site. I'm Lisa, an Italy-based travel and lifestyle blogger behind Following the Rivera. Find out more about me and my story.
I’ve never heard of Taormina before but it sounds and looks like a wonderful spot to visit and tour…a perfect vacation destination!
It’s a very popular destination here, I hope you get to visit one day